Photo of the Month (February 2026 edition): Pontões Capixabas

My map app has thousands of spots that I’ve collected over the years, hoping that one day I’ll set foot there. I don’t really have a method for it. Sometimes I see a photo of a place and pin it; sometimes I look at satellite images and something seems geologically interesting; sometimes I pass by somewhere and mark it to come back someday, even without knowing if that will actually happen.

One of those places that I had passed near many years ago, but had never managed to reach, was the Natural Monument of Pontões Capixabas, in Pancas (ES). On at least two occasions, more than ten years ago, I saw the road signs pointing toward the entrance to Pancas. But the place remained only in my app and in that part of my mind that takes care of curiosity.

Finally, I was able to satisfy my curiosity and visit the Pontões Capixabas, using my birthday in January as an excuse. My time in Pancas was brief, but in the best possible way, the kind that makes you miss it already and want to repeat it exactly as it was. As a bonus, I was gifted this birthday sunrise.